National Mustang Day at New York Auto Show marks 55 years of Ford's icon

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Mustang owners are a passionate group, devoted to their sporty cars. They even have their own annual holiday -- National Mustang Day, which falls on April 17 to mark the first time in 1964 that the original Mustang production car was revealed. Here, a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is shown in Wimbledon White Ford

The 1963 Ford Special Falcon: A prototype of the upcoming Mustang on the Falcon chassis before the
name was final. At this time it was referred to as the “Special
Falcon” and had Cougar badges, one of names under consideration.
Ford

1979 Ford Mustang Cobra:Mustang was completely redesigned for the third-generation model in 1979. The quickest 1979 model was the Cobra with a new turbo 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder, a first for Mustang Ford

1985 Ford Mustang GT Convertible: The ragtop model returned to the Mustang lineup in 1983 and in 1985, the GT received an upgraded 5.0-liter V-8 with output bumped to 210 hp., the first Mustang at that level since the early-1970s Ford

1990 Ford Mustang LX: – The 5.0 LX debuted and was available
until 1993. Using the same 5.0-liter V8 and upgraded brakes and
suspension as the flashier GT, the subtle but
fast model became the most popular pony car. Ford

1994 Ford Mustang Cobra coupe: The new fourth-generation Mustang was redesigned in 1994 with classic 1960s-model styling cues such as the side scoops, tri-bar taillamps
and a pony emblem in the grille. Ford

2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt GT: Ford introduced the "Bullitt" edition for 2001 that was inspired by the 1968 Mustang GT driven by
Steven McQueen in the 1968 film. The was the same Highland
Green and got suspension and engine upgrades.
Ford

2002 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra: Only 300 of the 2002 Mustang SVT Cobra R models were built.
With its rear wing and dome hood, the track special easily distinguishable. It has a 385-hp. DOHC 5.4-liter V-8 and six-speed
manual. Ford

Ford plans to mark the 55th anniversary Wednesday with a little get-together at a media preview of the New York Auto Show.

Even as Ford plans to kill off once-popular models like the Taurus, Fusion and Fiesta, it's keeping the Mustang, which has become one of the auto industry's most iconic vehicles.

“We broke the mold when Ford launched the Mustang,” Jim Farley, Ford's president of global markets, said in a statement. “Nothing says freedom, the wind in your hair and the joy of driving like Mustang."

The day marks when the production version of the Mustang made its first appearance more than a half-century ago at the New York World's Fair. The original Mustang went on to become one of the auto industry's greatest hits, with a look so captivating that it still shows up in movies and advertising as the ultimate in hip.

Ford outsold all other sports coupe in the world for the fourth straight year in 113,066 cars, according to data from IHS Markit. It's available in 146 countries. In the U.S., Ford says it sold 75,842 Mustangs.

"It’s an icon," Farley said. "The roar of its V-8 on a spring day -- there’s nothing better."

The original 1968 Mustang in the Steve McQueen movie "Bullitt" made an appearance during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press, via USA TODAY NETWORK)